Student hits KFC coleslaw recipe target

For many coleslaw lovers, the holy grail is the creamy combination from KFC. Finely diced cabbage, a sprinkling of orange carrots, sweet with a touch of sour, it is the standard by which many of us came to know this classic salad.

And here is the recipe -- the most exact copycat recipe I've yet to come across. It's from April Boyd of Moanalua High School, by way of "Mene Easy Eats," a benefit cookbook for Project Graduation, class of 2007.

The book is a neat compendium of recipes from students, teachers, family and friends, including many perfect for the upcoming picnic season: Guava Chicken, Lazy Laulau, Easy Crab Salad and a killer-sounding Oreo Cream Cheese Cupcake, to mention but a few.

Project Graduation is a hugely expensive project, designed to keep kids safe and sane through the euphoria of graduation night. We're talking tens of thousands of dollars needed here. Dedicated parents fundraise for four years to make it happen.

My daughter, class of 2006, went to her project grad last week and came home exhausted and happy. You see kids get this kind of benefit and you realize the value of the endeavor. So buy a cookbook.

Now, as for that recipe, it's similar to many available on the Internet, except that some of those call for onions (not necessary). I picked up a side order of KFC's slaw for comparison's sake. And you know what? It's almost exact. The slight flavor difference I'd attribute to the brand of buttermilk or perhaps the vinegar.